WELLINGTON. Wednesday.

Waikato Times, Volume 354, Issue VII, 20 August 1874, Page 2

WELLINGTON. Wednesday.

Mr Sheehan resumed the debate last night. He stated the country should be proud of the hon Mr O'Eorke for acting aa he did. The speaker regretted that Mr Reynolds was no longer the watch-dog of the House. He blamed the Premier for having crippled the usefulness ot the provinces in diminishing the export capitation tax, and compared the Premier to a boa constrictor, who put spittle or praise on those managing the Noithern provinces that he might swallow them more easily. He disputed the figures of the- Premier, and denounced the extravagance of the General Government, which spent more injthehangingsof theChamber than would pay the cost of the Auckland Executive for one year. The abolition of the Middle Island provinces must speedily follow that of the North. Mr McGlashan, in speaking to the abolition resolutions, said that the principal opponents to the resolutions were Superintendents and Provincial Secretaries, who ought to be at home in tlieir provinces attending to theni instead of in the House. Mr Cuthbertson made a speech in favor of the resolutions, in the course of which he particularised Southland as an instance of the unfairness of Piovincial legislation, and combatted the figures of Mr J. L. Gillies to show the superior, cheapness of Provincial machinery. He mentioned Timaru and Gladstone as being instances of august provincial treatment by Canterbury, which like the lest of Provincial Governments, starved out-districts. As to the inopportuneness of the resolutions those who had an interest in maintaining Provincialism would not let tße Government readily admit that time was ever opportune. Mr Gibbes also supported the resolution. Mr Munay was opposed to provincialism, but opposed the resolution because he disbelieved in the principles of the Premier. Mr Wood had intended to propose a similar change, and felt bound, therefore, to support the resolution. Provincialism was played out, and the time had come to abolish it. He made a long and eloquent speech. Mr Williamson expressed his esteem for the Government, but could not support the. proposal. 'He made a long speech in contravention of the arguments of Mr Wood. Ho was loudly applauded. Mr Tribe supported the resolution, and enlarged upon the evils of a double Government, 'especially as regards goldmines. He instanced Canterbury as an example of provincial mismanagement.. Her prosperity was due alone to fortuitous, circumstances. He was glad to see that the Pre&.s.of Westland wasunanimously ia favor of the resolution.